DAVIS, Calif. —
Natalie Markman's career high five goals powered the Aggies (6-2) to a 11-8 win over Butler on Saturday afternoon at the UC Davis Health Stadium. The win is UC Davis' sixth in their last seven games, and maintains their perfect home record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rhea Cosand got the Aggie offense started early in the fourth quarter, ripping the net to give the Aggies their first lead of the afternoon. Butler quickly responded, behind two scores from Luci Selander, who finished the day with four goals. Markman received a feed from Cami Johnson to even the game at two, but the Bulldogs had an answer, with two more goals before the end of the period.
Johnson hurled one past the Butler goalie to open the second quarter and bring the Aggies back within a goal. Both defenses began to settle in, with neither side registering a shot attempt in the ensuing eight minute stretch. Ellie Raffo broke the ice with her third score of the season, tying the game at four with five minutes left in the half.
Three minutes later, Markman gave the Aggies a lead they wouldn't relinquish on a cross-net strike from inside the eight-meter arc. With seconds remaining in the half, Reese Loseke generated a goal for Grace Gebhardt after forcing a turnover on the goalie from behind the net. Gebhardt's goal gave the Aggies a 6-4 lead.
UC Davis continued to apply pressure in the third quarter, shutting out the Bulldogs for a second straight quarter. The Aggies forced five turnovers and collected three of the four draws in the period while Markman, Gebhart and Cosand each scored to put the Aggies ahead 9-4 with fifteen minutes to go.
Butler proved resilient in the fourth quarter, scoring three times before UC Davis possessed the ball once, bringing the score back within two, 9-7. Markman scored her fourth and fifth goals on back to back possessions to assuage any fears of a Bulldogs comeback. Butler scored once more before the game concluded, but the Aggies held on to their comfortable three goal advantage for the remainder of the game.
UP NEXT
The Aggies are back at UC Davis Health Stadium on Tuesday, Mar. 12 at 1:00 p.m. against Winthrop.
